Week of Advent 2

Please pray and give thanks for...

New directions and endeavors in CCP ministry

The Reverend Canon Julian Dobbs
New Canon Missioner, Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)

HERNDON, Va. (December 8, 2008) ­

The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) has appointed the Rev'd Canon Julian Dobbs to the position of Canon Missioner. In this position, Mr. Dobbs will work to establish a CANA Clergy Deployment Office, help Anglicans in North America to understand and engage with the challenges posed by the rise of Islam, and develop a mission partnership with West Africa for the development of Anglican clergy and lay leaders.

"We are excited that Julian has accepted this position and we believe that his talents and dedication to preaching and teaching the Gospel will advance the Kingdom of Christ. The job description of Canon Missioner is largely shaped by the gifts and experiences that the individual brings to the position and what the needs of the church body are. Julian is well suited to assist CANA and the recently announced Anglican Church of North America," said CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns.

An ordained Anglican priest, Mr. Dobbs was most recently the U.S. executive director for the Barnabas Fund, at which he developed awareness for the persecuted church and this growing ministry across the U.S. He has traveled internationally and ministered with the Suffering Church across six continents including; Laos, Malaysia, Syria, Egypt, and North Korea. Following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Julian's work in Aceh, Indonesia was recognized by the New Zealand Government who awarded him with the New Zealand Special Services Medal. Julian presented a weekly 60 minute Christian television program for nine years in Nelson, New Zealand.

"I am glad to join CANA at this critical juncture in the history of the Anglican Communion. As Christians, we face many challenges towards spreading the Gospel, and I am dedicated to finding ways to meet these challenges. One way to do this is to find and develop clergy who will stand for Biblical truth. Anglican Christians have great opportunities to spread the Gospel and CANA is leading the way," said Mr. Dobbs.


For the completion of ministry by the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) and its entry into the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Delegates to the Anglican Communion Network’s fifth annual council meeting in Overland Park, Kansas, voted today to begin handing over ministries as well as financial and administrative support services to the forming Anglican Church in North America.

Network members spoke of how much the organization has meant to them since its founding in 2004. “This has been my lifeline. Without the Anglican Communion Network and you all, I don’t know what would have happened,” said Episcopal Church Bishop Jim Adams of Western Kansas.

During the approximately six months the hand over is expected to take, the Network office will continue to provide key organizational, administrative and other services for Network members and the Common Cause Partnership as it completes the creation of the Anglican Church in North America.

The hand over will not be complete until the summer of 2009. When it is complete, the Network as it is currently configured will cease operation.

“God did not use the Network to change the direction of The Episcopal Church as we had originally hoped. He has used it and us to create a Biblical, missionary and united Anglican province-in-waiting here in North America. We are deeply thankful to Him and to all who have supported its work,” said Bishop Duncan.

Many ministries of the Network are already positioned to successfully continue supporting Anglicans in North America. The Anglican Relief and Development Fund will continue as the relief agency for the Anglican Church in North America. Since its founding, it has funded more than 80 projects, distributing more than $3.5 million to support the work of Anglicans to meet the physical and spiritual needs of millions of people. The Anglican Global Mission Partners, also a Network initiative, will continue to draw together more than 30 Anglican organizations committed to mission. The Young Anglicans Project will continue work on a proposed Anglican Catechism in outline. The Titus Institute for Church Planting is established as an independent body and continues its work. The Common Cause Partnership, also a Network supported initiative, is the primary body responsible for creating The Anglican Church in North America.

Acknowledging the need for fellowship and support felt particularly by those in the Network who are remaining within The Episcopal Church, Bishop Duncan said, “We remain sisters and brothers in Christ, regardless of our way forward. We will certainly be looking at ways we can continue to support each other as the Network transitions over the next few months” said Bishop Duncan.

Prayer for Missions
O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.